Where in the world was the brown tree snake a problem?
Guam
As a result of abnormally abundant prey resources on Guam and the absence of natural predators and other population controls, brown tree snake populations reached unprecedented numbers.
What damage did the brown tree snake do?
A variety of other damage has been directly attributed to brown tree snakes, including large population losses among other native animal species in Guam’s forests, attacks on children and pets, and electrical power outages.
What is being done to get rid of the brown tree snake?
Efforts to remove brown tree snakes from Guam rely on two strategies: 1) live-trapping and 2) aerial delivery of toxic bait (dead acetomephine-laced neo-natal mice). Aerial treatment of the snakes is the only practical option for landscape-scale suppression in Guam’s forested habitats.
What is being done about the brown tree snake?
In the case of the brown treesnake, prevention efforts include working to detect stowaway snakes before they leave the island, as well as extreme vigilance on islands where the snakes are most likely to invade.
Why is the brown tree snake a concern?
It also caused “cascading” ecological effects by removing native pollinators, causing the subsequent decline of native plant species. The ecosystem fragility of other Pacific islands to which cargo flows from Guam has made the potential spread of the brown tree snake from Guam a major concern.
How did the brown tree snake affect Guam?
Native island species are predisposed and vulnerable to local extinction by invaders. When the brown tree snake (Boiga irregularis) was accidentally introduced to Guam it caused the local extinction of most of the island’s native bird and lizard species.
What kind of animals do brown tree snakes eat?
Brown tree snakes are carnivores and active predators. They prey on birds, lizards, bats, rats and other small rodents in their native range. In Guam, these snakes prey on birds and shrews.
How big does a brown tree snake get?
Black speckling may also be present on some individuals. Brown tree snakes are about 38 centimeters at hatching and may reach three meters long, but are usually one to two meters. they are adept climbers and can crawl through very small openings ( USDA-APHIS 2001 ). B. irregularis is rear-fanged and mildly poisonous.
How do snakes benefit the ecosystem?
Snakes are extremely valuable for the conservation of several ecosystems and biodiversity. They play multiple complex roles as prey and as predators. Snakes are useful to us in ways more than one. Save snake as snakes prey on pests like mice and rats and thus help human beings as well as maintain ecological balance.
Does the brown tree snake have an enemy?
Brown tree snakes are voracious predators and scavengers and have few natural enemies . Capable of eating up to 70 percent of their body mass per day, they have been known to consume many different types of small vertebrates as well as carrion.
Are brown tree snakes poisonous?
The venom of the brown tree snake is only mildly poisonous and is conducted by large, ridged rear teeth instead of fangs. It is not considered particularly dangerous to adults, because the snake must chew on its victim for some time before the venom is able to penetrate the skin.
Is brown tree snake dangerous?
Brown tree snakes are notorious for their bad temper and will strike repeatedly if they feel threatened. They are venomous but the fangs are at the back of the mouth so only a very large snake would be able to inject venom into a human. For this reason they are not regarded as being dangerous.
